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I'm from Michigan where a significant amount of our forests (and "parks") are from the 1930s. We use the term "going up north" to mean both physically going north and also going to the "wilderness". As a kid, whenever I went up north I assumed all the forests were untouched wilderness. As I got more into both hiking and history I realized that alot of my favorite state parks used to be privately owned, logged wastelands. Learned about the history (we cut down all of forests, the soil and short growing season were bad for farming so couldn't farm the land once cleared, used to have huge wildfires in the logged wastelands, owners stopped paying property taxes, local government were inundated with "useless" foreclosed land, land was transfered to the state and national government). You can see the physical remains in our parks (including national lakeshores and forests) whether they are old cars, parts of an old road or reusing old buildings as bathrooms, cabins, and offices. There are plenty of signs and plaques explaining the history (so many don't stop to read these, but they are really interesting!). It is both inspiring and sad to think that so many of the wild places that I love are basically man made. I went to Shenandoah a few years ago. With my biased background the history of the park being inhabitated before didn't surprise me when I read the signs and plaques. Because the experience has tended to be more positive in Michigan (people up north complain about the DEQ but that is because of its regulation of private land), I probably didn't think as much as I should have about the local experience. Great video, I love these types of topics!

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

That's honestly one of the things I love most about Eastern public lands. There's such a rich and diverse history there, however complicated it might be. Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!

This video, Cameron was enlightening. I know most of our eastern parks and national forest areas were privately owned. I was aware of the conflict between the owners of land in the great Smokies and the federal government. It never dawned on me that the same thing was true for the Shenandoah National park. Not much is changed, powerful elites still use their power and influence to create a world based on their vision of how it should be.

@cjthebeesknees

Жыл бұрын

Yup and I’m sure the Supreme Court was bribed to rule in Virginia’s favor, they all conspired and passed legislation to remove those thousands of “roadblocks” to just eight as well. Did the people get a say in that or was it the elites and wealthy? How’s this any different then communism? Not much different. Our country is riddled with corruption and monopolies controlling every aspect of life by just a few affluent individuals who pass laws to further entrench themselves while enriching themselves. Something needs to change.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I read a book not too long ago on the creation of Great Smokies, then I read another one (The Undying Past of Shenandoah National Park, you'd probably like it) to prep for this video and it really is interesting to read about their histories. Their both full of contradictions and injustices, but we also have wonderful parks today for the American people to enjoy. I still find myself conflicted with these issues! Such is the complicated beauty of National Parks I guess!

@deanfirnatine7814

Жыл бұрын

Rural Americans are barely considered human by urban politicians

Not to be that downer but: covering up injustices and pretending something that isn’t true is for the sake of American mythology? Sounds accurate. It’s a beautiful place, and had they left it in the state it was when the people were relocated it could have become so much more. Just because people once touched something doesn’t mean it no longer has beauty, something can be more beautiful when it has a history.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I agree! I think Shenandoah is a better park for having had it's full history explored. After the CCC left (during WWII), the park's natural landscape continued to recover largely without human influence. It's a complicated, but necessary history to talk about. Thanks for your comment!

@danielcummings4977

Жыл бұрын

Great sentiment Josh, couldn’t agree more. Loved the video and it definitely makes me feel differently about the park. I am going there in a few weeks for me third time and will definitely being looking for and taking it in differently.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

@@danielcummings4977 Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching Daniel!

As current residents of the planet have little to no sense about their world or impact as seen from the amount of trash, vapes, and beercans strewn down every road and ditch and stream it would appear that setting aside certain areas to be protected even at the cost of relocating some may prove to be fortuitous..

I love this park and I’m there a lot and I love learning The different history of those mountains!! Makes me appreciate the walks more

@NationalParkDiaries

11 күн бұрын

Agreed! It really opens up your perspective when visiting.

Even though this channel highlights National Parks, buying land to restore it or modify it to a more natural setting is really a major part of more than just National Parks. Looking at the dates for when this happened, it was around the same time legislation was passed to aquire cut over Forest land by the Department of Agriculture to create National Forest in the Eastern parts of the US. Smokey Mountain and Monongahela were made that way, along with the White Mountains of NH and the Green Mountains in VT. Those areas were bought to be modified and managed by people under the Forest Service mission, "For the greatest good, for the greatest numbers, for the longest time." Gifford Pinchot.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Yes, this process was pretty similar for a lot of federal public land in the East. We enjoy wonderful natural places today while respecting the complicated histories they've endured. I'd love to tell the story of Eastern National Forests on the channel someday

Excellent presentation sir. This is a subject near and dear to my heart. I read books and studied this very issue in depth and then convinced my dad along with my mom to take a trip out west to see these places the three of us. The widespread plethora of facts and not so fun facts, all do ring true & in some cases, are hard to accept. Thank you for a comprehensive, real history lesson. 🤨👍🤩

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

You're very welcome, thanks for watching!

Could you do a video about Inventoried Roadless Areas? I just learned about H.R.279 which protects them and the concept of roadless areas within national forests seems pretty interesting to me

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Definitely would like to cover that at some point!

Knowing this doesn't change my understanding of the park, primarily because I was aware of this history back in the early 1960s when I first began to visit the park. The Park Service did teach about the early residents of the area back then but not nearly to the extent they do today. Thankfully, times and attitudes have changed greatly since the 1930's.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the insight!

Thank you for this video! I’ve been researching this subject as well. Shenandoah is full of relics of its former inhabitants, and its tragic how they were characterized as such primitive people and removed. I visit the park a couple times a month so I am of course thankful it exists, but it definitely has a questionable history. The influence of DC money, George Freeman Pollock for one, and politicians really sealed the fate of the original landowners.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

It's a tragic story, but an important one. I think we have to grapple with these contradictions in our National Parks in order to fully appreciate them for what they are. Thanks for watching!

This was so interesting for me to watch, I was born in and grew up by Skyline Drive and would drive along it every few days at least. It is a really spectacular view. I'm also invested in ecological history, medical history, and national park service history, but have moved to Richmond for university and focused my historical research over here on the East Marshall St Well Project and the nat battlefield parks here. It never really occurred to me the way that the Shenandoah and Skyline Drive are manufactured wilderness with a deep history of injustice to anyone who lived there. This helped me understand better how the anti-government culture (and by extensiton now conservatism, ugh) took root in the Shenandoah. It's strange how you can have blindspots in your knowledge of your own home, thank you for enlightening me. I'll be looking into this more and spending more time seeking out this history whenever I go back home on the Skyline. Also, the national battlefield parks of the civil war would be an interesting episode, especially with the shifting ideology and removal of the confederate monuments (finally) and how these different branches of the parks either maintain or disrupt the lost cause ideology. The Chimborazo Park and the Chimborazo Civil War Meical Museum here in Richmond are good examples of this; the existing museum has really only focused on confederate history, but after the hospital moved out after the Civil War, the Freedman's Bureau moved in and used the hospital buildings to aid the newly freed black population. The museum and parks have been trying to shift towards telling that history in addition to the CSA history, but as you are well aware, things with the NPS and bureaucracy take a million years. One good example of how the narrative of the Civil War has shifted in this area is the American Civil War Museum, which is in the Tredegar Iron Works that also houses the headquarters of the NPS here! The museum used to be more CSA leaning, but in the past decade it has completely overhauled every aspect of the museum, and it's an incredible example of ALL of the history of Richmond at the time, not just lost cause garbage. ANYWAYS SORRY for such a long comment. I just really enjoyed this video. I hope you consider the battlefield parks at some point in the future, or at least visit and see for yourself! Also if you're ever in Charlottesville again, stop by C'ville Coffee! We love your videos :D

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Yeah, I think it's fascinating how these places we come to know so well can always surprise us. I never knew the history of Shenandoah myself, but learning about it's past made me appreciate what we have today even more. I find that to be the case with a lot of the parks I research lol - just so many good stories out there! I'd love to incorporate some battlefield stories on the channel too, I've got a few idea that I think would make good stories, so we'll see how that goes! Also, love a good coffee shop, I'll be sure to stop by if I'm ever back up that way! Thanks for sharing your Shenandoah story!

I love these videos, I think U should do a map or collage behind you of all the national parks/ areas you've been to/ covered. Loved the awesome opossum story as well. What do you think about the whole people go missing in national parks more must be supernatural thing? Living in Colorado, I have had many convos w family debating that there's an epidemic of missing people and super natural phenomena in national parks. My retort is always well there's just a large concentration of people visiting. Like not to discount supernatural forces or nothin, considering myself a believer of stuff I don't understand; having been out in the wilderness, but I don't think a line on a map along a mountain ridge means on area is more supernatural then the wilderness across said line. Getting close to Halloween ill humor ghosts and property lines, but I don't think one wilderness is necessarily more supernatural than another (ghosts of tourists and ghost towns exempt). I would love a look at the efforts the park service goes to as far as recovery goes, actual preparedness of tourists, the actual statistics, ext. For me it seems in a similar vein as the Yellowstone will kill us all myth. I think you could definitely throw a scary story in as well, might be a good Halloween vid. Anyways love the channel, keep up the good work!

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I've got a scratch off map I'm thinking about hanging up in the background. The studio setup is ever-changing lol! As for park disappearances, I don't know that I've ever thought about it too much to be honest. I would agree with you in the sense that I don't think National Parks are more or less prone to disappearances. I think there's definitely a story to be told on the channel about search and rescue efforts and visitor preparedness though, thanks for the suggestion. And thanks for watching and supporting the channel!

Fascinating!

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I agree!

Thank you for this, especially the photos of families who had found ways to live in those beautiful wilds. I have a musical and poetic fascination with the folk song "Oh Shenandoah", with unclear origins, but the lyrics seem to tell a tale of a man from this part of Virginia, gone to explore the west, but still dreaming of returning home to these mountains and, especially, the valley's eponymous river. I imagine it might have been written by any of the people in those photos.

@NationalParkDiaries

8 ай бұрын

It's a powerful story. I'm glad I could share it here - it's well worth learning about. Thanks for watching!

The landmass that John Smith experience was cultured and maintained by Native Americans

I was just there this summer and it is pointed out that what happened.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Yep! Shenandoah has come a long way since those early days in acknowledging the park's past. It was those early leaders and proponents who really did a disservice to the region's prior residents.

I live in Front Royal, Va. “Mile 0” of the Skyline Drive. Here, we pronounce Buracker as Burr-ACK-ur. The CCC Boys built the Drive. The people that the government stole the land from kept sneaking back to their homesteads. The government agents then started burning everything they could, leaving nothing for the landowners to go back to. There are places where you can still find foundations & chimneys. A few were able to get lifetime rights & live there until they died. The Park is beautiful but brings a feeling of sadness, knowing how it came about.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

A complicated history for sure.

@TwelveFrames

11 ай бұрын

I was wondering if anyone else from my area would have said what you did. Grew up in Sperryville.

@willm9251

2 ай бұрын

I'm at least a year later than you, but was going to make the same comment about 'Buracker' pronunciation. I'm also here in Warren county. I've known quite a few Buracker's, including my best friend growing up, whose dad's side of the family were driven from their land for the park. It's the same story for a lot of Powell's, Hickerson's, and Williams' families I have known through the years.

@willm9251

2 ай бұрын

@@TwelveFrames Here in Warren county, we called it 'Spurryvulle' 😂

The Shenandoah park and valley were once some of America's most productive farmland. That's why it was destroyed by General Sheridan during the Civil War.

Great video! Another video like this could be done on Voyageurs National Park. By the 1970s when Voyageurs National Park was founded up in Minnesota, the problem was handled with more sophistication. The federal gov. would strong-arm families who had cabins for several generations into selling it to the park. I worked up there for a summer, and some of the cabins designated as historic sites in the park lead you to believe everybody was willing and happy to hand these lands over. They were not, and the locals are STILL angry about the land taken from them.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

It's an all too common refrain for Eastern Parks unfortunately. Complicated histories for sure. Thanks for watching!

Awesome video. I knew they displaced people to build the park. I've lived in the shadow of the park my whole life, but I've never ventured into it. Perhaps one day I will, but we have enough great riding, hiking, and outdoor activities in the area to keep you busy without the restrictions of the national park.

@NationalParkDiaries

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I'd recommend a visit! I went last year for just a weekend, and found a lot to love in just that short amount of time. I know how you feel though when you live close to a place - sometimes your just spoiled for choice when you know the surrounding places really well.

I’m not surprised. Civil War nerd here and with all the battles in the Shenandoah valley I was always wondering why no one ever went into what is now the national park? I mean it’s not like the military was opposed to putting artillery on mountains loot at Maryland Heights.

BTW, thank you for telling the story of SNP. It's important that this history isn't forgotten.

I've been re-reading that Bryson book on your shelf! I'll have to check out the other books you have there.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

It's great, I love the way he writes! My personal recommendations are for the Invention of Nature and Where the Wild Things Were (oh, and The Golden Spruce!)

@glev7588

Жыл бұрын

@@NationalParkDiaries Me too- he's a fantastic storyteller. A hiker on Isle Royale recommended him to me years ago and It's been a favorite ever since. Thank you for the recommendations! I will check them out.

So sad. And it does change how I feel about Shenandoah

I know people who were ran off their places when they took the land from them. Most people will never know what they did to get the land. I live in Virginia. Thanks for sharing the video.

@NationalParkDiaries

9 ай бұрын

It's a sad story, but I'm glad I could share what those people went through. Their memories can live on in this story and in Shenandoah today. Thanks for watching.

The US government screwed poor people over? I'm shocked. And the myth continues to today. MASSIVE tourist area but everyone pretends it's a normal park, meanwhile the surrounding areas are living in double wides; appalachia has always had troubles that outsiders like to blame on the people living there. They're simple folks that don't want for much, but many communities are in dire need of help, just as much as the wilderness they live alongside. I've heard great things about shenendoah's night sky, but haven't been able to confirm it because there's just TOO MANY PEOPLE to ever comfortably visit

Man-made or not, the land is far healthier than it would be today had it not been made into a park. Even though people once lived there, I am glad the land was bought and preserved. This is coming from someone who's family had their land in the Everglades area forcibly sold to the government for environmental reasons. It's good that it happened.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I agree with you! I think the history of these areas makes them more interesting as parks today and helps enjoy the natural scenery that is there now. Thanks for your perspective!

Mountain lions are starting to apart more to people. They have been found denning under homes in the crawl space.They used to be extremely fearful of dogs but lately have begun preying on dogs. A similar thing is happening with Fisher weasels who have begun living near homed and preying on cats in the East Coast. Unfortunately western Fishers only like undisturbed wilderness but they have been translocating them to their former ranges.

Ooh a park I've actually been to! I stayed really close to rapidan camp, but didn't have the time to actually go see it. I love the content of your videos, and you seem like a really chill guy, but I have to watch your vids on 1.25 speed. You have a ton of research and passion, and that's plainly evident, but the presentation lacks energy, a bit of gusto you know? Theres nothing necessarily wrong with that, it's just a little critique, everything else is great, I still come back to the videos you made about dams out west because you touched on the conservation vs preservation dichotomy so well!

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback! I still feel like I'm pretty early on in my filmmaking journey (less than 50 videos so far!), and I know I'll continue to improve on those skills. I appreciate you being here and thanks for the support!

In the New testament, John 1:14, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"; meant that the son of God dwelt among men, but a more literal translation was that He set up tent among among men. We are all temporary residents of the land we live one. We are stewards of the land, not owners, and men are often terrible tenants. I have no problem with restoring land, especially to a better use, as long as the previous tenants were not robbed of a home or culture. I think working with people to help them steward the land better and eventually buying the land over several decades is a better way restore land and create wilderness.

There are cemeteries inside the park that were from landowners. I know one of the cemetery is maintained by the family.

@NationalParkDiaries

2 ай бұрын

I think that's important. These are touchstones of our past and shouldn't be forgotten.

@jontaylor6068

2 ай бұрын

@@NationalParkDiaries my grandmother’s uncle had land there. That’s how I know the cemetery is maintained by the family.

I don't believe the land was as it was . They had to logg some of it if not all and replant . In Michigan there was left huge white pines . The last . Michigan had huge tree like the red woods . They logged them all . I mean all .I read books and saw photos of the massive tree s . I believe the east had them too . Many used for tall ships . Some of the islands like Nantucket where whaling sea ports . Where did all the ships come from . The parks are really nice . But a land grab . So it makes you wonder . So much has been forgotten or not taught . Like the book Moby Dick . About whaling .

It be argued this is an early example of proto-rewilding? An example in which a lot of everyday people were screwed over a lot but an interesting example nevertheless.

What became of the possum?

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I have no idea lol. Although, apparently, Hoover did keep a separate opossum (named Billy) as a pet at the White House

Hi :)

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Hello!

@gamingtyme3209

Жыл бұрын

@@NationalParkDiaries my first “first” comment :)

I know I made a comment about the park in your post about you going there talking about the rich history around the park itself. People tend to forget that these parks on the east were originally people’s homes. Many of the families that lived there had been in the region prior to the American Revolution and had ancestors who fought in the American Revolution and the American Civil War. In fact, Lexington, Virginia - which isn’t far down the road from Shenandoah National Park - was where Thomas J. Jackson educated students at VMI prior to the American Civil War. Many of the battles during the 1862 valley campaign were fought nearby the boundaries of the modern park and, later, in 1864, Union forces would come down the valley again. The history surrounds the park and even existed within the park with those families that lived there. The last generation to live there were the grandkids of the men who fought in the War between the States and the great-great grandkids of the men who fought for their nation’s independence. What was done to many of them was a tragedy in its own right. It was the end of a way of life by an era defined by progress without moral heart. If you ever want to get a sense of what life was like in Appalachia around the time of the establishment of Shenandoah National Park, I’d recommend looking into the TV program “The Waltons.” The show is based off of Earl Hamner’s childhood growing up in Schuyler, Virginia; a little village nestled next to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Much of the show was based on his lived experiences as a child growing up in Appalachia in one of those small towns.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I'll have to check that out! I read a book called "The Undying Past of Shenandoah National Park" which did an excellent job talking about all the different groups of people that have called Shenandoah home over the years. It's so important to keep these stories alive, thanks for your comments!

@MatthewChenault

Жыл бұрын

@@NationalParkDiaries, I know. Much of Virginia’s cultural heritage has been under threat from sunbelt migration over the decades; enough so that some would argue Virginia is not a “southern state,” even though it was the birthplace of much of the southern culture. On a side note, when you start touching upon other National Parks, it’d be nice for you to cover the story behind the formation of the Richmond National Battlefield Park and the extensive number of historical sites preserved under its banner.

So its not about The Possum War's?

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

That'll be a separate video 😂

Ooh face reveal

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

This is my third on-camera video! I'm excited to do more since I think it adds a more personal touch to the topics I'm discussing. Hope you enjoy!

@spheniscusdemersus

Жыл бұрын

I like the on camera bits but I also think showing historical and contemporary pictures of the park is very important and really captivates your audience

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I think so too! I sprinkled those in throughout - some shots from my recent trip and some historical photos of the park and past residents.

@spheniscusdemersus

Жыл бұрын

@@NationalParkDiaries I liked that touch

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

@@spheniscusdemersus Thank you!

"im-possum-ble"

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I should have known...

@meganstahlberger608

Жыл бұрын

@@NationalParkDiaries you're welcome ☺️

That's awful. In my opinion, they should give all of the descendants of the people who were wrongfully evicted from the land a small plot of land there, for free. Including both the white people and the Native Americans. And issue a public apology. It wasn't that long ago, I am sure people are alive today who are still quite pissed their ancestors were kicked off of their land.

There were three counties that were hold outs until the bitter end: Madison, Page, and my home county of Rappahannock. Many of the descendants of the families who lived in those hollows still live in the area, and I know that at least those three counties have monuments with their family names. If you ever go off trail (which I don't suggest because the briars will definitely get you) you get an idea of just how rugged, remote and tough life was there. Also, do not forget that part of the "reasoning" behind the evictions was to "bring" these people into modern life.

@NationalParkDiaries

11 ай бұрын

Big fan of those monuments. I think it's incredibly important that this history not be forgotten. We have to remember the good and the bad when it comes to these places, and tell the full story. Thanks for your comment.

@TwelveFrames

11 ай бұрын

I have a long term photography project that I’ve started documenting the homesteads of Rappahannock County.

Excellent video. Not sure how I overlooked it until today. I I live hours to the north of the park and try to visit at least once a year. I love the park, but I am always aware that the government basically stole the land. Not a good past. We did the same thing on a larger scale to the native Americans. Here in Pennsylvania, the game commission never stops managing the forests, whether burning, logging, etc. I always tell people, I know when I go to SNP the beauty will not have been managed from the previous year and it will still be beautiful. I do get a kick out of walking 50 from a trailhead and seeing a sign posted as entering backcountry. On thing I noticed, from the few visits to western parks…there are far few signs showing trailheads. Here in the east, it is the opposite.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Shenandoah has a complicated past, for sure. Stunningly beautiful and certainly a benefit to the nation, but at the expense of the people who called it home before the park existed. The eternal paradox for many of our National Parks, unfortunately.

Aj bidet no bat sinenboa vas a fin

I can’t tell you why but I simply am just not interested in any eastern part of the US. I know that sounds ignorant but idk everything west of these mountains intrigues me. Everything. But the eastern side of the country just doesn’t. Im sure if I went there it’d be beautiful but yeah.

@NationalParkDiaries

Жыл бұрын

I hope you come and visit! I'm an Easterner myself, and definitely biased, but the beauty of the Appalachians is really something special! There are also some great wild beaches here on the East Coast too, surprisingly.

@kerrygrim7934

Жыл бұрын

I always said I could visit the parks in the west (I am from PA) for the rest of my life and no need to travel elsewhere. The west is beautiful. However, as a lover of the outdoors in nature, wildlife, etc., the East, especially the Appalachian mountains has a tremendous amount of biodiversity, whether wildflowers, birds, trees, etc. which I greatly enjoy. Not liking our high humidity!

Sounds like something the government would do and sleep well at night.

Sounds like something the Soviet Union would have done!☹️

I would like to see more land acquisitions like that of Shenandoah National Park across the country. I am not going to lie, private property rights are not a priority issue for me.

Still going with showing more of yourself than of the footage, eh? Sure love the info; wish I could spend more time looking at the parks and historical footage, and maybe none of the narrator 😕 Nothing against you buddy, it's just jarring, and pulls me out of the story that you're telling